Calling all MCI-102C3 owners

[Scott & Heather]

I know Dave (sledhead) owns one currently. Nick, (badame) do you still own one? Couple of questions   (For reference, my questions specifically apply to a 1992 MCI-102C3):

1. I have researched and read conflicting info about whether these coaches have room to fit a series 60 in them or any other 4 stroke for that matter? Some say yes, some say no.

2. Somewhere I read that they have a larger turning radius than my MCI-9 has. Both are 40 foot coaches, is this because the wheelbase is longer or cause the coach is a 102?

3. If, hypothetically, I owned one with a factory DDEC 8v92 TA, would it have the larger 8 tube radiators?

I have already scoured the web for info on these and those three questions are all I have left that are as of yet, unanswered. Thank you in advance for any and all info.


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[blue_goose]

Scott, I'll try and answer some of your questions.  You were parked close to my 102C3 in Florida.  I have a series 50, but you can put a series 60 in one.  Just no Jake on the first two cylinders.  My cooling is the same as a 102D3 it was an option not standard.
Next don't buy it if you want a series 60.  You can buy a coach with a series 60 for what you will spend changing it to one.  I had problems with my 8V92 is the reason it was changed.  I do like the change but it will never pay of itself.
After converting the coach you have now you know you can buy one all ready done for less than you will spend converting it yourself.
Jack
 

[B_K]

I agree with Jack don't buy one with the idea of converting it & swapping a 60 series in to it! Just plain too costly!
On that note I personally know of 2 '94 102C3's for sale by different owners.
Both are upside down in these coaches as they gave more for the coaches than they'll ever see as a return. (both thought there was $ to be made in the bus biz and started with the wrong equipment to go head to head w/me!)
Both are nice buses in good shape.

One I used to maintain for the church that had owned it. (same church that slow rider aka Ken Franklin bought his from} this is the bus that replaced his)
It was originally owned by Grayline in Nashville and they have an excellent reputation for maintenance. The church bought it after they traded it in. Then a guy that drove from me bought it from the church while it was at my place for A/C repairs.
It has the Cummins 4 stroke engine in it runs awesome gets good mileage and is in good shape. (has the "D" style radiators like Jack's too btw)

The other is owned by a man that really bought it just to run his own tours with (rather than charter buses for his groups and learned the hard way that owning is not cheaper than chartering)
It has a fresh 6V92 DDEC that was installed by G&W Diesel in Memphis shortly before he bought it. Runs like a top. Has a NEW 740 transmission installed by G&W (at my recommendation) since he bought it. Has had whole A/C system rebuilt w/NEW compressor & clutch all blowers have NEW brushes and system works good! Bus lloks and runs great.

But both these guys went an bought 40' buses to run in today's market when I told both of them that to compete these days ya gotta run newer 45'ers to please the customers. (now the guy that bought the one to run his own tours wasn't trying to get into the charter business. But once he owned it and was payin for it and all the other costs he didn't plan for up front he had to try the charter biz to try an stay alive.)
But he wasn't able to keep it busy enough, had a major set back with trans and A/C system at the same time. And has had it for sale for over a yr and is back to chartering from me again. (Oh and he's been laid off from the steel mill he worked at so now he REALLY needs to sell the bus!)
  BK 

[luvrbus]

Why not just buy a MCI C with a Cummins or Cat engine they are out there we have friends that have both,the ZF transmission I would shy away from as they are good transmissions till you need 1 repaired.

JMO but if you ever drive a D with the out board mounted air bag suspension you will never want a C the difference between the 2 is like daylight and dark in the handling and ride and they are easy to find with the 12.7 series 60 non EGR engine with the B500 Allison   

[sledhead]

After seeing the pics of the bus it looks really nice and after all the 8v92ta has gone this long if it is kept up and serviced it should be fine . go for a good drive ( 2 hrs if you can and try to find a hill to see if it gets hot ) just tell the seller you will pay for the fuel .
lots of guys have the 8v92ta with no problems

dave

[Scott & Heather]

This is all great info once again. Thanks for your honest responses. BK, I already have a coach in mind, with an 8v92TA. It's a shell ready to go. Anyone have any links to a decent priced D with a 60?


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[busguy01]

Scott
I am finally back home in South Dakota and am very serious about selling my EL3. Let me know if interested. Just a reminder it is a 1998 VERY low mileage shell with 2 working slide outs, raised roof , Jakes AND retarder, 9 new n the box Motion IND double pane sliders, engineering drawings, full manuals,  and LOTS more. Very, VERY inexpensive!
Jim Huston

[Scott & Heather]

Hi Jim!

Nice to hear from you! Just sent you an email!


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